A small but vocal group supporting WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, gathered in the rain in front of, Federal Member, Ewen Jones’ office in Townsville yesterday, calling on the Australian government to do all in its power to help Julian Assange. The demonstration follows the decision in London that he be extradited to Sweden for questioning over rape accusations - widely believed to be politically motivated and likely to lead to his removal to the US. There, the Walkley Award winning journalist, who lived as a boy on Magnetic Island, could be held in indefinite detention without trial in a military prison. Numerous American politicians have called for his execution after WikiLeaks embarrassed the US by leaking thousands of secret intelligence files.

The supporters, who numbered about 20 and included several Magnetic Islanders, held placards at the busy peak hour intersection of Ross River Road and Nathan Street. One woman huddled with a baby, another with a kitten. And while the swish of traffic nearly drowned out their voices the spirited group chanted “Free Assange” and, quoting the WikiLeaks founder, “Courage is contagious!”

Liz Hempel from Townsville said, “I think he has been treated most unfairly by the government. Drug smugglers are getting better treatment! They should be doing more to bring him home. Speaking the truth isn’t a crime.”

Joel Tann from Kirwan told Magnetic Times, “I think the Australian government has to stand up for its citizens. In the case of Julian Assange they have really shirked their responsibility. If they are not going to stand up for him will they stand up for us? Who’s next?”

Michael Smith from Townsville agreed with Joel Tann, saying, “I’m just worried if we allow Julian to be extradited to Sweden or the US under very false allegations then the same could happen to any of us.”

Former Magnetic Island resident, Jannette Stevens, told Magnetic Times, “The level of reaction and violence directed towards him (Assange) is like Jesus who told the truth and they killed him!”

To see more photos of the event visit our facebook page photo album (Click here)

Disclaimer: As a journalist I took the unusual step of joining the demonstration in solidarity with a fellow journalist and Magnetic Islander who has been more effective in exposing the truth, I think, than any other individual in history. This report of the demonstration is, however, I believe fair and accurate.

Story and photos: George Hirst

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Assange demonstration: “Drug smugglers are getting better treatment!”

4 comments

Claudia

June 3rd 2012

Thanks for the story, George. I think it would be helpful if you did not use the phrase "WikiLeaks embarrassed the US by leaking thousands of secret..." because it perpetrates the mistaken notion that he, as a journalist, did the leaking. He did not. Others leaked the information; Assange / Wikileaks merely reported or published it. In 1972, when the Watergate scandal broke, Mark Felt of the FBI leaked information, under the pseudonym of "Deep Throat" to journalist Bob Woodward, who reported it and the Washington Post published it. Nobody expected the government to shut down the Washington Post or execute Bob Woodward. So - leaks come from informants, not journalists. Cheers, Claudia

Alister Ferguson

June 3rd 2012

Hats off to the people in this protest & to you George Hirst for reporting the story & proclaiming your solidarity! I wish there were more journalists like you in the world! I am forwarding this link to my Bob Carr urging him to help Julian.